Branson is a great place to shop
for quality, variety and value
It's estimated that half the visitors to Branson, Missouri come for the great shopping.  From heirloom-quality furniture hand-crafted by artisans at Silver Dollar City, to scuba and golf gear, to brand name fashions, jewelry and appliances.  Branson visitors can explore three outlet malls with more than 200 stores to find great deals on designer clothing and specialty merchandise. Branson also has hundreds of boutiques, craft and hobby shops, antique stores, toy stores, jewelry stores, art galleries and gourmet food markets.

Factory Merchants Branson
Find an exciting collection of outlet and specialty stores from the world's leading designers and brand names all offering savings of 25% to 65% everyday.  Nestled in a park-like setting, Factory Merchants Branson, Missouri features Nautica, Carter's, Red Wing Shoe Co., Koret, Reebok, Kasper, Tuesday Morning, Gail Pittman, Pfaltzgraff, K*B Toys, Pendleton and more.  Two tree-filled courtyards provide seating, and the open-air food area features A&W All American Food plus Auntie Anne's Pretzels and The Fudgery.  The center is located in the heart of Branson, just look for the "red roofs", and find Branson's largest outlet center. 
The center is located at 1000 Pat Nash Drive off West Highway 76, just pass the White Water Theme Park.  Factory Merchants Branson is open 9am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday; and 9am - 7pm, Sunday.  January and February hours are: 10am - 6pm, Monday through Sunday; and 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday for your shopping convenience.

The Shoppes
at Branson Meadows
The center offers Branson, Missouri shoppers a variety of outlets and specialty stores and 11 movie cinemas all in an attractive setting, convenient for a full day of shopping or a short visit.  You'll delight in shopping the charming Victorian layout with hourly chimes from the clock tower offering visitors a unique and relaxing shopping experience.  The Shoppes at Branson Meadows features VF Outlet - Vanity Fair Wrangler Lee, Dressbarn, Supermarket of Shoes, Easy Spirit, The Ironworks, Rue21, Branson Pet Depot and more.  Enjoy delightfully fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee, tea and desserts at The Gardens Café - Coffee - Tearoom.
The center is located at 4562 Gretna Road across the street from Citizen's Bank in Branson, Missouri. From Highway 65, take Highway 248 west to Gretna Road or from Highway 76, take Roark Valley Road to Gretna Road. 

Branson Landing
The site occupies 95 acres including 1.5 miles of waterfront and is walking distance from the edge of the Branson, Missouri  tourism district. Drawing inspiration from its picturesque waterfront setting as well as its Ozarks ancestry, the Branson Landing project will offer its projected 4.5 million annual visitors nearly 450,000 square feet of retail shopping, anchored by Bass Pro Shop and Belk Department Store.
Additionally, there will be a 220,000 square foot Branson Convention Center and Branson, Missouri tourism center, a flagged 4-star 260-room convention hotel, a 100-room boutique hotel, 140 waterfront luxury condominiums and penthouses and a marina. All of which will increase Branson, Missouri tourism. As Branson, Missouri tourism increases, so will the need for lodging and residences.
A cross-section of eateries from fine dining on the waterfront with spectacular views to casual fare for shoppers on the go, Branson Landing project will become a haven for the finest restaurant and dining choices in the Midwest.
The development will also be anchored by a new town square at the culminating point of the city of Branson's celebrated Main Street that will serve as the complex's entertainment headquarters. A new water feature on Lake Taneycomo, created by the foremost fountain designers of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, will showcase a nightly music, light and water show of spectacular proportions.

Engler Block
See and experience the art of the Ozarks.  With 30 individually-owned shops, the Engler Block offers a whole world of the Ozarks craftsmanship and artistry under one roof in Branson, Missouri. With artisans at work on their creations, Engler Block is more than a collection of stores; It is sight, touch and sound.  We have plenty of free parking and entry into our vast climate-controlled marketplace is free for your shopping. Come join us for a spell and find out what the art of the Ozarks is all about in Branson, Missouri. You'll be glad you did!

Branson Mill Craft Village
Branson Mill Craft Village is Branson's newest shopping attraction, where admission is always free!  Branson Mill features demonstrating craftsmen working with leather, wood, pottery, scrimshaw, stained glass, china and more.  A hand-crafted item from one of our artists will be a great keepsake of your trip to Branson!  In addition to the craftsmen, Branson Mill has over 150 booths of shopping with unique gifts, home furnishings, kitchen accessories, jewelry, handmade lotions and soaps and other great items.  Branson Mill is also home to Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company, Bandana's Bar-B-Q, and the Leather Trading Company. Branson Mill is located at 3300 North Gretna Road in Branson Meadows -- just look for the water wheel!   Call 417.334.8436 for information and hours.

The Branson Mall
Just across the street from the Grand Oaks Hotel at 2206 W Hwy 76 in Branson  There's a reason why they say, "You can Do-It-All at the Branson Mall!" Because you can! A visit to the Branson Mall is more than just a shopping excursion (although that's always fun). Whatever you're after the Branson Mall has it all! Shopping, dining, fabulous shows, entertainment, special events, beauty services and welcoming smiles.  All anchored by Wal Mart on the east end and the Jubilee Grocery Store on the west end all at the Branson Mall. 
Shows - The Branson Showcase Theatre has several new shows performing from 10am to 10pm inside the Branson Mall.  #1 Hits of the 60's - This award winning, all live cast & band takes you “up, up, and away” into everything that was wonderful about this fabulous era of music and dance. “Branson’s Best Decade Show” was voted one of the top shows to see in Branson in 2004 & 2005.  Prices (all inclusive): Adult $26.00, Child (6-12) $8.00.  4 Divas & a Diva with a Difference - vie for the the spotlight. Outstanding music & hilarious comedy featuring long time Branson entertainer Janice Copeland with Dee Dee Hamilton, Michele Sevryn, Cindi Barr, & “Harley Worthit”. Definitely Different & Delightfully Diva!  Prices (all inclusive): Adult $16.75.  The Magic of Taylor Reed - Merrill Osmond presents a magical journey with award-winning illusionist Taylor Reed! Stunning illusions, colorful sets combined with high-energy entertainment and Taylor’s award winning show dog “Polar” make for an exciting and fun-filled show for all ages. Prices (all inclusive): Adult $25.25, Senior (Over 60) $21.00, Child (4-17) $8.00, 3 & Under Free on Lap.  Bringing Down The House Show -  is a new musical variety show featuring country, rock, and tropical genres.  This show will be brought to you in concert style by the lead singer Tina Renee whose compelling beauty and show-stopping performance will leave you breathless and enchanted.  All ages….prepare to be entertained!  BLAST - The producers who brought the “TOPDOGS SHOW” to Branson, now return with this exciting fast-paced family generated show. A magical, musical, and animal spectacle featuring magician Blake Walker, vocalist Dee Dee Hamilton, and comedian Hagarman. Prices (all inclusive): Adult $15.00, Child Free with purchase of adult ticket, $6.00 addt’l child.  Come see The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday night at 11 PM.  This interactive show is a great way to add some fun to your weekend! 
Shopping - Open 9-9 Monday through Saturday and Sunday 10-6
1 Hair Place,   Animaland,   Melody's,  Aqua Massage,   Branson Fashions,  Country Music USA,    Maurices,   Daily Massagers,    Dead Sea Products,    Diamond Brite,    Embroidery Paradise,    Leather Plus,    Leather Outlet,    Saigon Nails,    Southwest Accents,   Total Balance Orthotics
Dining - At Ruby Tuesday, we're fully committed to preparing and serving food of uncompromising freshness and quality - with signature choices like our premium Handcrafted Burgers and our bountiful, Fresh Garden Bar - and we're grateful that our restaurants are made possible by passionate employees who make it their business to delight each and every guest with an excellent dining experience. From our ongoing efforts to bring you the best menu in casual dining and the best Handcrafted Burgers anywhere, to the gracious smiles and genuine hospitality that greet you at our doors, Ruby Tuesday wants to make our Simple Fresh American Dining your favorite dining anywhere.  Rock Around the Clock Cafe - with Branson's Breakfast Bingo Buffet only $6.00 with a free game of bingo.  Serving your favorite lunch and dinner items the rest of the day.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, cheese steaks, chicken strips, shrimp and more.  All your favorite sides like onion rings, fries and tator tots.  Great ice cream desserts and the signature dessert Monkey Ballz.  Aunt Abbey's Candies - Largest candy variety and "Real" candy kitchen in Branson, 100's of antiques, old ads, historical memorabilia displayed throughout the store.  World's tallest popcorn snowman, the only fudge in Branson made with real whipping cream.  2206 W Hwy 76 417-334-8087.  Hard Rock Deli - Serving sandwiches, ice cream and daily lunch specials. 

Downtown Branson
Creating experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime!
With this self-guided walking tour, you will experience an authentic “hometown.” 
   Reish Shoe Store, at 120 S. Commercial, is the oldest continually owned family business in Branson.  In 1934 Charlie and Sylvia Reish opened their shoe store one block north of here.  Their son, Joe, now operates the business with his mom helping out occasionally.  If you find Joe or Sylvia in a talkative mood, they might tell you a story from many years ago. Ask Sylvia what happened when a pet raccoon escaped from his leash and ransacked the store.
Directly south of the Reish Shoe Store is Ball Office Supply & Debi’s Hallmark, at the corner of commercial and pacific.  Formerly the site of the Commercial Hotel, where the fire of 1912 started. It destroyed the entire downtown, with the exception of five buildings.  In a laundry shed behind the hotel, sparks from a wood stove ignited linens and furniture, and quickly spread to the hotel itself.  After the fire, most of the downtown buildings were rebuilt with brick and stone.
   Burlington Store, 201 S. Commercial (formerly The McGill Building).  Built shortly after the 1912 fire, it housed a radical newspaper, The Menace, for three years.  It later served as the Masonic Lodge and a second floor was added in the 1920s.  The lower floor was used as a Community Center for many years.  Jim Owen adapted the building to show movies in 1933 before he built his own theatre two doors to the south. The current owners of the McGill Building recently restored the exterior to reveal the arched brick details on the façade.
Just behind the Burlington Store is the location of Branson’s original City Hall at the Southeast corner of Pacific Street and Business Highway 65 (it is now a parking lot).  The Mabe Brothers, later known as The Baldknobbers, started their first music show here in 1959 at the City Hall and Community Center. They rented a 50-seat auditorium in the basement and performed two nights a week.  Their audiences were local people and visiting fishermen and hunters who came to Branson long before it became known as the Country Live Music Capital.  The Baldknobbers eventually moved to a larger auditorium on the Taneycomo Lakefront, where they performed for several seasons.  In 1968, they purchased a site on West Highway 76 to build their own theatre.
   Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial (currently occupied by Elvis & The Superstars and 2 Fluffy Women Comedy Show).  Built in 1935 by Jim Owen, it was Branson’s first movie theatre.  Jim Owen was Branson’s first mayor, and had a vision that the city could become a thriving tourism location.  He promoted fishing excursions on the White River and encouraged thousands of middle- class tourists to visit Branson after the 1880s- 1890s era when the Ozarks was known as a rich man’s fishing and hunting paradise.  Jim Owen also hosted many celebrities who made publicity appearances at the theatre in its early days, including Hollywood stars Gene Autry and Charlton Heston, and artist Thomas Hart Benton.  Owen often staged extraordinary publicity stunts to promote his films, such as sending the volunteer firemen to the train station to collect a Mae West film that was billed as “Too Hot to Handle.”
   Walk north on Commercial Street to First Community Bank.  Before the fire of 1912, Mrs. Whelchel’s Dress & Hat Shop was here.  When the fire jumped across the street from the Commercial Hotel, Mrs. Whelchel and her clerk gathered armfuls of dresses and hats and ran out of the shop toward the north.  They dropped some of the clothing during their escape, and the flames jumped from hat-to- dress-to- hat all they way down the sidewalk, spreading the fire to the next block.
   Parnell Building, southwest corner of Main & Commercial, 101 S. Commercial, now occupied by First American Tour & Travel.  The original Parnell and Yandell’s General Store was destroyed in the fire.  The owner, Sam Parnell, was the son of James Madison Parnell, who owned several cotton gins and was a very rich man by yesterday’s standards.  In 1980 he moved his thriving dry goods business from Kirbyville to Branson when he learned that the proposed railroad would not come through Kirbyville.
   Branson Railroad Depot at 206 E. Main.  The depot was built in 1906, on the White River Line of St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway. During the heyday of rail transportation, products shipped from Branson included tomatoes, cotton, tobacco, cattle, hardwood logs, zinc and lead.  At the depot in 1930, the bank robber Jake Flaegle was caught in a sting operation by federal marshals who had tracked him after a series of bank robberies in Colorado.  Jake was shot and died later in a Springfield hospital.  The depot is leased by the Branson Scenic Railroad.  The track and the depot are now owned by Union Pacific Railroad.
Lake Taneycomo, a portion of the White River (accessible on Box Car Willie Drive, southbound, to the south edge of the City Campground) Look across the water where Turkey Creek meets the White River-at this location archeologists have found many artifacts indicating long-term use of the site by prehistoric Native Americans.  The creek formed a wide gravel bar there which created a ford when the water level was low.  Gravel is still mined out of the lake at the mouth of the creek.  In 1541 the Spanish adventurer, Hernando DeSoto, seeking gold and mapping the territory on behalf of the King of Spain, discovered the mouth of the river where it meets the Arkansas River.  He called it “Rio Blanco” (White River) because of the churning white foam as the water tumbled over gravel bars and boulders in its path.  Swollen by rainfall running off the hillsides, the White River has an awesome destructive power.  Floods occurred at least four times in the late 1800s and three times in the early 1900s.  To control flooding, a dam was built at Forsyth in 1913, and to some extent it was successful.  But rambling floods continued to occur on the White River until Bull shoals Dam, Table Rock, and Beaver Dam were built in the 1940s and 1950s.
   Lake Taneycomo is Missouri’s only body of water that permits trout fishing year-round.  The lake maintains a constant temperature of 52-55 degrees, which supports rainbow and brown trout.  In the warmer tributaries are bass, catfish, and bluegill.  The lake has the characteristics of a river, because it is narrow and has a strong current.  It supports a wide variety of fisherman and fishing techniques.  Since the music industry has come to Branson, fishermen are proud to be non-typical tourists – asking just “point me to the water.”  During the construction phase of Branson Landing, the lake is accessible at Scottie’s Trout at the south end of the City Campground and also at public fishing docks in the campground.
   Return to the corner of Main and Sycamore, 123 E. Main Street.  For many years the building was occupied by Henry Sullenger’s Saloon.  In 1913 the building was moved here from its original location at College and Third, nearly five blocks away.  The saloon was a favorite place for railroaders who were laying tracks and digging tunnels in 1902-1906.  It is the oldest commercial building in Branson. 
   Continue west on E. Main to the Bank of Branson (now Patricia’s Victorian House) at the northwest corner of Main and Commercial.  This was Branson’s first bank building, built in 1906.  It is one of five buildings that survived the 1912 fire.   When the blaze began in the Commercial Hotel, all the men in town raced to the bank and began pouring water on the building to keep their money and the bank building safe.
   Old Branson Cemetery, (two blocks north of Patricia’s House).  While walking north along Commercial Street you are following an old wagon road that was one of the area’s primary routes even before Branson was a town.  The cemetery was established in 1863, also before Branson existed.  North of the cemetery, the road turned northwest and crossed Roark Creek at a ford.  Rueben H. Branson, the town’s first postmaster, is buried here, and also his partner in a dry goods store, Thomas Jefferson Berry.  The Calvin Gaylor (Gayler) family has several members buried here.  In 1838 Calvin and his wife Cassandra received a land grant from the federal government on the land that is now Branson’s lakefront.  They lived here until the 1880’s.  Calvin was a gunsmith and made guns for the Army of the Confederacy during the Civil War.  His family endured depredations from Union troops throughout the war, and at times it was necessary for Calvin to hide out in a cave to avoid capture by Union soldiers.  The cave, now called The Soldier’s Cave, is just west of the farmstead in the steep cliff beside Lake Taneycomo.  The Gaylor home was located about 75 feet east of the existing railroad depot.  The family owned property beside the White River nearly three miles long, southward from the mouth of Roark Creek.
   Landmark Inn, is north of the cemetery, at 315 N. Commercial.  This building, constructed in 1905, was originally the home of the railroad stationmaster.  Later, residents claimed to have seen the ghost of a beautiful young woman strolling along the upper hallways of the house.  However, its current owners have completely renovated the house and converted it to a guest inn.  The ghost apparently didn’t care much for the disturbance of the remodeling, and hasn’t been seen or heard lately.
   Branson Hotel B & B, 214 W. Main.  Harold Bell Wright stayed in this hotel while he was writing several chapters of his famous novel,  Shepherd of the Hills.  Many                 residents of the region, hoping to capitalize on the Wright story, have claimed to be the real person the novelist wrote about.  However, Wright said that the story and all the characters were invented, with the exception of the Postmaster, “Uncle Ike” (Levi) Morrill.  Other famous guests at the hotel included Missouri’s Governor Joseph W. Folk who stayed there while vacationing.  The building, constructed in 1905, survived the fire of 1912.  It has been maintained in excellent condition and is now being considered for the National Register of Historic Places.
   The Old Stone Church, 401 W. Pacific, the first permanent church in Branson, built in 1909-1910.  The old church has been used for many community activities, including a charity food bank, a senior center, a youth center, and a counseling service.  The building was recently restored to its original appearance, and is being used for Sunday worship services again.  It has two features seldom seen in old churches in the Ozarks: the high-relief exterior chipped stone (made of native limestone taken from a railroad cut through the mountains south of Branson in 1905-1907), and the dish-shaped floor in the sanctuary.
   Branson Café, 120 W. Main.  Branson’s oldest restaurant, established in 1910, is a popular place for local people to gather and exchange opinions on politics, religion, fishing news, and the latest gossip.  The café is renowned for home-style cooking, fine coffee and desserts.  A big table at the back is a favorite place for tourists to get acquainted with locals, and learn first-hand what’s going on in Branson.
                  Information courtesy of the Downtown Branson Main Street Association